Twelve journalists that produce the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator are finalists for 15 annual statewide awards presented by the Associated Press Media Editors, it was announced Monday.

The local staff competes in the Ohio APME’s Division IV, representing daily newspapers with a general circulation size of 19,000 to 59,999.

The awards in actual order of finish — first, second and third places — will be announced at a May 7 banquet in Columbus, along with winners in categories for General Excellence, Hall of Fame, Rising Star and First Amendment winners.

Entries for this newspaper’s division were judged by editors from the APME’s corresponding organization in Michigan.

Newsroom Copy Desk Chief Patrick E. Litowitz is a finalist for two awards, Best Headline Writer and Best Informational Graphic for his graphic titled “Heating costs to zap consumers.”

Sports writer Neel Madhavan also is a finalist for two awards, a sports enterprise series titled “Tressel’s Triumphs” and for a broad sampling of his work entered under the Best Sports Feature Writer category.

Longtime Mahoning County crime and courthouse reporter Ed Runyan is a finalist in the Best News Writer Category. Veteran reporter Guy Vogrin, who covers Trumbull County crime and courts, is a finalist in the Best Spot News category for his coverage of the fire that destroyed Mecca’s historic Lake Tavern. Former staffer Allie Vugrincic is a finalist in the Best Explanatory Reporting category for “Yellow House goes mobile,” a story detailing the relocation of one of the oldest homes in Trumbull County.

Business Editor Ron Selak Jr. is a finalist in the Best Business Writer category; Features Editor Burton Cole is a finalist for Best Feature Writer; and Editor Brenda J. Linert is a finalist in the Best Editorial Writer category.

Sports Editor Greg Macafee is a finalist for his enterprise series, titled “Built at Mollenkopf,” examining the 50th anniversary of the unification of Warren’s two high schools and football teams.

In the sports department, staffer Brian Yauger is a finalist for his sports photo titled: “Heartbreak.” Freelancer Steve Ruman is a finalist in the Best Sports Columnist category for a body of work about local high school football. Joining Madhavan as a finalist in the Best Sports Feature Writer category is sports writer Joel Whetzel.

The newspaper also is a finalist for “Best Daily Sports Section,” an award recognizing the overall sports coverage and presentation on a daily basis.

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